Cornish Director Mark Jenkin Premieres Time Travel Film in Hometown Newlyn
Mark Jenkin, the celebrated Cornish film director, experienced a mix of pride and nervousness as his latest cinematic creation, Rose of Nevada, received its first United Kingdom screening at the Newlyn Filmhouse in his hometown. The ghostly time travel film, which tells the story of a Cornish fishing boat and crew that slips through time, was presented to a supportive and attentive local audience, but Jenkin admitted that showing his work to people he knows so intimately made him uneasy.
Authenticity as the Cornerstone of Cornish Filmmaking
During an exclusive interview, Jenkin emphasized that authenticity remains the most critical element of his artistic vision. "This is the greatest town in the world," declared Jenkin, who hails from Newlyn. "I see Cornwall as being at the centre of the world. But the Cornish screenings are the ones I get most nervous about. I can't control what people think of the film, but I do have a certain amount of control over the authenticity of my work. If a local audience tells me a film doesn't feel authentic, that would hurt. The Cornish audience is the most important."
Jenkin has garnered significant acclaim in recent years for his gritty Bafta-winning film Bait, which explored tensions within a Cornish fishing village, and the eerie folk horror Enys Men, set on an island off the southwestern coast of England. Rose of Nevada represents a notable step forward in his career, earning excellent early reviews and securing him a coveted spot on the cover of the May edition of the venerable film magazine Sight and Sound.
Technical and Environmental Commitment
The film was shot entirely in Cornwall, primarily utilizing the harbours of Hayle on the north coast and Mullion in the south. Jenkin employed a working fishing vessel for the shoot, with the skipper occasionally taking the boat out to fish during breaks in filming. Consistent with his previous works, Rose of Nevada was filmed on 16mm using a clockwork Bolex camera, ensuring that Cornwall is portrayed not merely as a picturesque backdrop but as an integral, authentic character within the narrative.
Jenkin articulated his philosophy clearly: "The concept is that if the films are authentic, audiences around the world will understand and relish them even if they know nothing of Cornwall." He also highlighted the importance of sustainability and inclusivity in his filmmaking process, a sentiment echoed by producer Denzil Monk. They strive to minimize their impact on the Cornish environment and community, with most props, such as nets, fish boxes, and buoys, being returned to their original maritime uses after production.
A Thriving Independent Cinema Scene in Cornwall
While Jenkin is often hailed as a talisman for Cornish filmmaking, he was quick to acknowledge the vibrant grassroots independent cinema scene that existed when he returned to Cornwall from London at the turn of the century. "I think it's a real testament to the power of cinema as an art form," Jenkin remarked about the Newlyn Filmhouse, located in a converted old fish cellar and smokery near the harbour front. "We're constantly told that cinema's dead, nobody goes to the cinema. And we've got an arthouse cinema in the middle of Newlyn."
Laura Giles, the managing director of Screen Cornwall, described Rose of Nevada as a significant milestone for Cornish filmmaking. "It's a local film-maker telling a story set and rooted here. Mark is a talisman and doing a fantastic job, but I think there's other people coming through as well who are really interesting," she stated.
The Broader Landscape of Cornish Filmmaking
The success of Jenkin's work is part of a larger, burgeoning movement in regional filmmaking within Cornwall. Other notable projects include the Cornish-language film Poll Pri (Clay Pit), directed by Edward Rowe, which depicts a community in central Cornwall fighting for survival, and A Year in a Field, a contemplative documentary chronicling twelve months in the life of a 4,000-year-old stone in the Cornish landscape.
Brett Harvey, director of the Cornish road movie Long Way Back, observed that Jenkin's achievements have drawn international attention to Cornwall. "Cornish film has always been booming, but now the rest of the world is paying attention," Harvey noted.
Dan Simpkins, creator of the documentary The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay, which follows explorers into derelict Cornish tin mines, highlighted a growing recognition of the importance of regional storytelling. "Audiences increasingly want to see their own communities and identities reflected on screen, alongside big-budget blockbusters. It's a genuinely exciting time to be a film-maker in Cornwall," Simpkins explained.
Mark Jenkin will participate in a series of question-and-answer screenings ahead of the official release of Rose of Nevada in the United Kingdom and Ireland later this month, further engaging with audiences and reinforcing his commitment to authentic, community-focused filmmaking.
